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Portrait photography.
Too often underestimated, yet it is the perfect recording of our history, forever changing lifestyles, the all important memories...
Photography is a powerful medium.
Cameras only the tools of the trade, note I write 'cameras', no distinction, it is my firm conviction that it is the person using the tools that is responsible for the result.
Like in everything else, theres ever changing TREND.
You only have to look at the family/school/wedding portrait of 50-20 years ago!!!!!!!!
A dynamic portrait like the above, would not have been possible, everything neatly 'all-in', best clothes, from a respectable distance.
I like the way it's going, but it's taken some time...
Just check out Arnold Newman if you're not familiar with his work.
Why portraits less appreciated on EPZ, I think most are people scared?
I quote one comment:
I usually don't click on portraits because I don't know much about them (but I hope to someday). But this is a classic that gives me lots of ideas on how to do them!
It is not because I never drove an F1 car that I cannot appreciate the sport!
Anybody (hate the question) who asks me: 'and, what do you photograph?' makes me think, my answer would be the BEAUTY in everything?
However I must admit, portraiture may be the most difficult discipline, I find it also the most rewarding.
Magda (*:*)
IT IS OBVIOUS A LOT OF YOU COME VIEWING, IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH SOMETHING, LET ME KNOW?
| Title: | ANXIOUS |
| Username: | 
magda_indigo |
| Uploaded: | 29 Jun 2005 - 3:57 AM |
| Camera: | Nikon F4  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | nikkor 28-200  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Recording media: | Ilford XP2 |
| Tags: | Black & white, Traditional darkroom |
| Votes: | 39 |
Comments
Photographers are the witnesses of our time, of life, love, tragedy, joy, nature's wonders - we record everything.
This is a very honest, open portrait. Ingrid worked together with you and gave permission for you to create this precious record and to bear witness to this moment in her life. You honoured each other. It takes courage to co-operate like this and create such strong work.
Magda, I remember the story attached to your earlier portrait of this lady and think that this shot sums up all the experiences she has been through.
It was brave of both of you to work through the sitting but the results are very moving. That's some talent you have
Brian
This one has an element of tension I really like.
To be good at anything you need to work hard at it, be familiar with your capabilities and the capabilities of your tools.
To be great at something you need talent and flair for what you are doing on top of that.
You have bundles of both Magda, and I am truly glad you share your photos with the rest of us! 
I do not consider myself a 'portrait photographer' Gary, but I seem to want to prove a point, why? I don't know.
I am just A photographer, like I said, who tries to find beauty, meaning or emotion in everything I see. Thanx, (*,~)
I recognized her from the thumbnail! You said it... portraits might be the most difficuly form of photography. And I may not be good at portraitsm but I do know what I like. Her expression says it all!
Patrick
Thank you for the chance to see this shot that is so close to you Magda.
You are not only a very talented photographer but a kind and caring person....and it shows.
Ricardo xxx
Although very sad Magda,this is a very strong portrait,I am not sure if that is the correct word to use. You were both very brave and sensitive to go through with the shots and the sadness is there to see.Thank you for posting this wonderful portrait. Click.
Pete.
I'd forgotten the face and the tale, until I clicked the thumbnail. There is something in the eyes and expression which speaks to the viewer. Pin-sharp and works excellently as part of the series.
Totally agree with you Magda, most of the great photographs are "people" shots, well to me anyway, I posted a portrait yesterday that in my eyes was pretty ok but most advised me to "clone" out an imperfection in the background but to me, its part of the whole photo, and stubborn as I am, I will NOT clone it out...I LOVE the rawness, yet pro work you do, not perfect and smooth but has soul!!!! By leaving the hand in this image, it makes it better, of course the emotion and honesty you have captured is the "secret" to good portraiture, as I have said before, you are an artist who I greatly respect...!
lolove
Jill
Hands up, I find portraiture very difficult to comment on, and am almost always disappointed with my own attempts.
Here you have a whole story. Drama, conflict and emotion all captured perfectly in the shot. Jill (Sugarbird) also often manages to capture these things.
Perhaps most of us try to "expose" a lovely person in a portrait and worry to much about light and skin tone and such like. Answersonapostcard does it perfectly with her children, and although very different, Bilma's portraits of local villagers here were perfect IMHO.
I'm sure you, and the above mentioned, inspire a lot of us to keep trying. the hardest part is to bring out the person behind the photograph and be happy with the result. We look, we try, we fail.
In answer to you question, why don't we comment, I think it's because we don't know enough; and why do we look, probably because we want to be able to achieve the same qualities as you and the above mentioned.
So thanks for the inspiration, and the examples of high quality portrature...even though they leave us mere mortals highly frustrated!
This shot leaves me feeling anxious and uneasy, knowing the story behind this. The woman's emotions and vunerability are plain to see.
It's personal, powerful photography, Magda, and some people might not want deal with material like this. I do generalise, but I think many see photography, and photographic imagery, as an escape. Hence, the popularity of subjects such as wildlife and landscapes (including my own) on this website.
Personally, I see many views with no clicks/comments on my own images. While I sometimes wonder why most people don't feel compelled to comment after viewing, I don't think it's too productive to get too hung up on it. I'd prefer critique to 'nice shot' any day, but this site generally doesn't offer it. I do agree though, that comprehensive feedback is better than just the positive variety.
But I digress. 
You have a unique style with your photography, Magda. Sometimes it's powerful, sometimes it's just plain fun. Whether I comment or not, I'm always intrigued and interested in what you will upload next.
Pete
thanx for that Pete, and I agree with what you say.
Yesterday I had an extraordinary and unusual amount of views though, but no comments, so I ALWAYS rather know what's going on than speculating...now it is views 130/ how many comments?
Maybe you saw what I wrote, I would not have uploaded any more of that series, yet it felt like I had to prove something. Did you follow the thread Keith started about 'the death of portrait photography'?
I knew this was a 'confrontational' image, I WANTED to release emotion AND show the power of photographic portraiture.
I repeat, it is the most challenging and most rewarding.
Thank you for your honesty and straighforwardness, Magda (*_*)
Hi Magda,
I agree that it is the most challenging of photographic subjects, which is why I will never be a portrait photographer. I have tried and appreciate how much skill is required to bring out the best in your subject.
And rewarding? I think the most memorable, powerful images tend to be portraits.
And as a demonstration of the power of this kind of photography ... well, you've undoubtedly made your point with the above image.
All the best,
Pete
This one is very emotive, you can see clearly in her face the rough times behind her and ahead ...the first one not, she looked very relaxed and you'd never have known she was any other than an attractive, healthy and happy lady.
I like to see the 'character' in a persons face, love portraits of 'real' people rather than models and perfect faces.
I like the portrait with her lovely face. But I don't like the hand there....a bit more hand in my eyes would be better.
)
Carsten
A Beautiful Portrait, Magda...♥
I've looked at this thumbnail so many times, I feel as tho I knew her.
After your last post of this Beautiful lady, I couldn't stop thinking about her and what her family must have went through, the sadness and the Love they had lost.
So, I regretfully put off looking at the whole picture, until now and so glad that I finally did.
So true, made me really think about what you wrote...This photo will show her Beauty...Always!
My heartfelt condolences,
Suzan ♥
PS: You are Truly missed as well, hope all is ok and hopefully I will see you soon...♥
Another set of lessons learned from you here Magda. I wonder with portraits if the difficulty in making them excellent is they either have to be recognisable like a celebrity snap, or bring out something deeply personal and un-quantifiable like you do.
Thanks for sharing the picture, and the thoughts surrounding it.
D
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